Discovering the Essence of Love in Meditation
Having delved into the practice of meditation and immersed myself in the teachings of Buddhism for more than a decade, the intersection of meditation and love has always captivated my curiosity. In the teachings I have encountered, meditation and love are often presented as separate entities, yet somehow intertwined. Buddhism offers a plethora of meditations focused on loving kindness and compassion, as well as techniques that aim to clear the mind or foster single-pointed concentration. How do these seemingly disparate practices come together?
For years, my intellect grappled with this question, seeking answers and insights. It wasn’t until I finally quieted my mind completely and experienced a state of thoughtless awareness that I realized it was brimming with warmth, bliss, and an overwhelming sense of love. The supposedly empty state of mind revealed itself to be filled with radiant love.
Meditation masters have likened the essence of mind to space – boundless and immaterial, yet imbued with qualities like intelligence, intuition, love, and bliss. In ancient Indian Vedic scriptures, our true self is described as Satchitananda, embodying pure being, consciousness, and bliss. Similarly, in Buddhism, the concept of Buddha Nature reflects luminous awareness imbued with unconditional love and wisdom.
Therefore, the supposed emptiness of awareness is, in fact, pure love. Love resides within the inner space of our consciousness. The Dalai Lama eloquently stated that love is the absence of judgment. When we can be with others without passing judgment, we create space for the deepest form of love to emerge. This innate love arises naturally when the mind is stilled to a subtle state, free from the constraints of conceptual thinking.
This love is not akin to romantic love shared between individuals; rather, it is the fundamental essence of our being radiating outward into the world. By connecting with the essence of our own being, we tap into the essence of all beings, transcending separateness and embracing unity. When the mind ceases its divisive tendencies, the essence of love shines forth unimpeded.
It is our conditioned thinking that divides and separates us based on superficial attributes like appearance, gender, or beliefs. However, our core awareness serves as the unifying force that connects all living beings, as it was never separate to begin with. The core of our being represents a unified field of clear awareness or universal consciousness that binds us all.
As Zen Masters have professed, only in emptiness can we find fulfillment. When the mind is empty, it can love every sentient being unconditionally, embracing them with all their imperfections. This unfettered acceptance stems from complete openness – a non-conceptual form of love that requires no effort and has the capacity to radiate outward to every being. Rumi’s words resonate deeply: “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
The ultimate goal of meditation practice is to connect with this ever-present source of love within. By accessing our true self – the unconditioned awareness that transcends divisive beliefs – we can perceive the world with clarity and unity. By relinquishing judgment and embracing oneness, we realize that love is not something to be sought externally but a natural expression of our interconnectedness with all beings.
Written By Chad Foreman
Chad Foreman, the founder of The Way of Meditation, has been dedicated to sharing authentic meditation practices with millions of individuals in the modern world since 2003. As a former Buddhist monk with over twenty years of teaching experience, Chad leads regular meditation retreats on the Sunshine Coast Australia and offers online meditation coaching. His online programs, including The 21 Day Meditation Challenge, Breath-work, and The Bliss of Inner Fire, aim to guide individuals from mindfulness basics to profound awareness. Chad’s free e-book, Insights Along the Way, is also available for download.